?You must be the change you wish to see in the world?

Mahatma Gandhi.

Does our reality match with the notion?Are the things written on papers, implemented in reality? Are we just talking the talk or also walking the walk? One of the biggest, if not the biggest, issue that our planet earth came across is climate change. The consequences of climate change are rising sea levels, rising temperature, and increased precipitation. The overall effects on health is likely to be negative, and populations in low income countries are likely to be vulnerable to the adverse effects.

For instance, take Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. It is one of the developing countries that are getting afflicted by climate change and one of the reasons are outdated vehicles. The daily average traffic leaving and entering Addis Ababa is morethan 52,000 vehicles, of which 50% of the traffic is assumed to be made by vehicles registered in the city. Passenger cars contribute almost 42% Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and private cars contribute 31% emissions. Therefore, these vehicles increase atmospheric levels of GHG such as Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), Nitrous oxide (N₂O) and Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs).

Another reason for climate change in Addis Ababa is waste. The solid waste sector is characterized by low coverage of solid waste management service and pollution from uncontrolled dumping of waste. As a result, the total solid waste GHG emission in Addis Ababa is 15,033 tons of Methane and 315,692 tons of carbon dioxide. Liquid waste management system is obsolete and not able to withstand the increase in pollution as well. Therefore, the total GHG emissions is 647,898 tons of CO_2.

The other factor is biomass. 90% of homes in Addis Ababa make use of wood and charcoals. As a result, it produces high level of indoor air pollution, where children and women cooking are affected by respiratory infections, as well as producing GHGs.

Consequently, the air we breath is highly affected. It negatively affects human respiratory and cardiovascular system. The increase in CO₂ level also promotes the growth of plants that release allergens (aeroallergens). Finally, these changes outdoor air quality as both pollutants and aeroallergens infiltrate home, schools and other buildings causing health problems.

An increase in concentration of GHGs leads to an increase of both average and extreme temperature. Days that are hotter than the average seasonal temperature in the summer or colder than the average seasonal temperature in the winter causes increased levels of illness and death.

Vector borne diseases are illness that can be transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and fleas which can carry viruses, bacteria and protozoa. These vector borne diseases are influenced by low and high temperature extremes and precipitations.

Climate change affects food security by disrupting food availability, decreasing access to food and making consumption more difficult.

Finally, every person is responsible in reducing climate change issues. Through choosing renewable power, trim your waste and by not throw trash on the street, fly less, walk, cycle and take transit. You can save your money and get exercise as well and support the solutions made about climate change.

A lot of us know what should be done to save earth from climate change and yet less of us are making the move. If we want to minimize the climate conditions that is happening around the world, we all have to be part of it and?say what have I contributed to decrease the issues of climate change??It should start by the word?I?. We shouldn?t have to be waiting for someone to tell us what to do and what not to do, it doesn?t have to be the job of the government or the farmers only. It should be everyone?s responsibility. We all have to be one and work together.

Reference

1.                   Niclas Hällström. (2015). Global renewable energy support programme

2.                   Dan Walmsley. (June 2010). Climate change and its effects on human

3.                   Dr. Rosalind Stanwell-Smith. (November 2008). Climate change and its health.

Written by - YEABSIRA KEFELEGN